TE’O ONE STEP CLOSER TO NFL DEBUT

No timetable in place for rookie LB to play in game; Butler held out

There was a give and take Wednesday with the health of the Chargers’ inside linebackers.

One starter practiced. The other did not.

Manti Te’o took his latest step toward making his NFL debut, working in individual drills and sparingly in team periods. Team captain Donald Butler rested a groin injury suffered Sunday against the Eagles.

Butler had a groin injury last season and missed four games. He is expected to practice Friday and play against the Titans this weekend.

Te’o is less likely to be active. This was the first practice for the rookie second-round draft pick since incurring a foot injury during the Aug. 8 exhibition opener. After nine preseason snaps, it is unlikely he could fill a defensive role Sunday under such short turnaround.

Coach Mike McCoy said Te’o showed “a little bit of rust” in practice, as expected after he missed nearly six weeks, and that there is no timetable for his game debut.

“I think we’re all happy to have him back out there,” McCoy said. “That’s why we picked him where we did. We want him to be a part of this team on game day and everything, but we’ll do what’s right for the football team moving forward.”

Reggie Walker started for Te’o against the Eagles. The veteran responded with a critical play in the first quarter, chasing down running back LeSean McCoy to end a 70-yard reception at the Chargers’ 7-yard line. The defense then held Philadelphia to a short field goal, a four-point difference in a game the Chargers won 33-30.

Te’o said he and the team’s medical staff “haven’t really tested” his foot yet at risk of a setback.

“It’s nice to be out there with the guys and just be a part of practice,” Te’o said.

Rivers is Player of Week

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers received an award Wednesday. It will take more games like the one Sunday, he knows, before his team receives respect.

Rivers was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, an individual honor for which he credited the entire offensive unit and coaching staff. The acknowledgment has been a rare one lately for a team that had no Pro Bowlers voted in 2012 and entered the season with little fanfare.

Rivers led the game-winning drive and finished 36 of 47 for 419 passing yards and three touchdowns. This is the first time a Chargers player has been named the conference’s offensive player of the week since Rivers in Week 14 of 2008.

“I hate to keep talking about the past, but when you have three years like we had as a .500 team, you lose a little bit of respect as far as around the league,” Rivers said. “You know it’s going to take a while to earn that back in the sense that they’re talking about us as a team going into a game.”

The Chargers (1-1) were the underdog against both of their first opponents. They’re currently the underdog again against the Titans.

Nuts ’n’ Bolts

Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (neck sprain) and Butler were the only Chargers players to miss practice.

• Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney was a limited participant for veteran rest. Defensive end Corey Liuget (hamstring) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (wrist) were listed as full participants.